Ann McMahon PhD MSc BSc PGDiploma CMS, RMN RGN

RCN Research and Innovation Adviser

Manager, RCN Research & Innovation Team 

Tel: 07778-776 161
Denise Alexis, 020-7647 3852
Email: ann.mcmahon@rcn.org.uk

 

Biography/Current role

Ann McMahon

Ann McMahon graduated with a CNAA Bachelor of Science in nursing degree and registered in general and mental health nursing in 1979. She worked as a staff nurse in a psycho-geriatric unit in Dumfries and in acute surgical admissions in Glasgow before specialising in cancer nursing at the Christie Hospital in Manchester. Ann worked first as a staff nurse and latterly as a clinical nurse specialist. She took a year out to study full time for a Master's degree in nursing at Manchester University. Her dissertation explored the potential of cognitive behavioural therapies as a means of relieving anticipatory nausea and vomiting in patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy.

From Manchester Ann moved to Stafford to take up post as an Assistant Director of Nursing Services where she was responsible for research, development, quality and informatics. She took up her position as R&D Adviser at the Royal College of Nursing in 1994.

Through a stakeholder consultation exercise, Ann developed the RCN's first R&D strategy and established the RCN R&D Co-ordinating Centre at the University of Manchester. From here she directed a programme of work to:

  • influence research commissioning agendas
  • develop and make accessible to nurses support for R&D activity
  • disseminate knowledge to nurses to inform policy and practice decision making

Following the review of the RCN Institute in 2006, Ann facilitated the development of a new strategic direction for research within the RCN based on a vision where research activity is recognised as coherent, strategic and relevant. Six strategic recommendations (MS Word, 169K) were agreed by Council in July 2007 and Ann is currently leading on their implementation. In 2009, Ann managed, in partnership with colleagues in the Community Practitioner and Health Visitors' Association and in the Royal College of Midwives, the development and launch of the Academy of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting Research.

In 2010 Ann took on the leadership role in the RCN on innovation in practice. Ann manages the innovation stream within the RCN’s front line first campaign and her job title changed to reflect this development in December 2010.

Ann supports the work of the RCN's Research Society and has worked closely with the RCN's annual international nursing research conference's Scientific Committee members to continually improve the quality of the conferences and increase the transparencly of the scientific process.

Ann was awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Critical Management Studies by Lancaster University in 2006 and was awarded a PhD in 2008 from Salford University. Her PhD thesis is entitled 'The politics of innovation: a critical examination of the conditions in which innovations in health care may flourish' (abstract).


PhD Thesis

McMahon, A. (2008) "The politics of innovation: a critical examination of the conditions in which innovations in health care may flourish" PhD, Salford University, thesis.
Abstract: The politics of innovation: a critical examination of the conditions in which innovations in health care may flourish (PDF, 12K)

Peer Reviewed Publications

  • McMahon, A., Irwin, P., & Redehan, E. (2003), "Identifying priorities for strengthening and developing the nursing contribution in a field of practice: a case study in stroke care", NT Research, Vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 202-211.
  • McMahon A (2003), "Promoting excellence in R&D: working towards standards and guidelines for NHS Trusts", NT Research, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 73-74.
  • McMahon A (2003), "Promoting excellence: a draft RCN position statement", Nursing Standard, vol. 17, no. 32, pp. 38-41.
  • Crofts, L. & McMahon, A. (2002), "Raising the Profile of Nursing Research Amongst Medical Research Charities", NT Research. Vol. 7, No. 5, pp. 378-389
  • Scott, E., McMahon, A., Kitson, A., & Rafferty, A. M. (1999), "A national initiative to set priorities for R&D in nursing, midwifery and health visiting: investigating the method.", NT Research, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 283-290.
  • McMahon, A. & Kitson, A. (1997), "Supporting R&D: the role of a professional organisation, Part 1", Nursing Standard, vol. 12, no. 11, pp. 36-38.
  • McMahon, A. & Kitson, A. (1997), "Supporting R&D: the role of a professional organisation, Part 2", Nursing Standard, vol. 12, no. 12, pp. 35-39.
  • Kitson, A., McMahon, A., Rafferty, A. M., & Scott, E. (1997), "On developing an agenda to influence policy in health-care research for effective nursing: A description of a national R&D priority-setting exercise", NT Research, vol. 2, no. 5, pp. 323-334.
  • McMahon, A. (1997), "Implications for Nursing for the NHS R&D Funding Policy", Nursing Standard, vol. 28, no. 11, pp. 44-48.
    ß Jackson, S., McMahon A., & Cage R. (1993), "Prevention and Management of Pressure Sores", British Journal of Nursing, vol. 2, no. 13, pp. 672-677.
  • McMahon, A. & Smith, K. (1993), "Evaluation in practice", British Journal of Nursing, vol. 2, no. 12, pp. 625-630.
  • Morton, A. R., Cantrill, J. A., Pillai, G. V., McMahon A., Anderson, D. C., & Howell A (1988), "Sclerosis of the lytic bone metastases after disodium aminohydroxypropylidene biphosphonate (ADP) in pateints with breast carcinoma", British Medical Journal, vol. 297, no. 6651, pp. 772-773.
  • Lambert, M., Chadwick, G., McMahon A., & Scarffe, H. (1988), "Experience with the portacath", Haematological Oncology, vol. 6, pp. 57-63.
  • Anderson, H., Scarffe, H., Lambert, M., Smith, D. B., Chann, C. C., Chadwick, G., McMahon A., Chang, J., Crowther, D., & Swindell, R. 1987, "VAD chemotherapy - toxicity and efficacy - in patients with multiple myeloma and other lymphoid malignancies", Haematological Oncology, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 213-222.

Short Articles

  • Gerrish, K. & McMahon, A. (2005), "Research and Development Policy: a UK perspective", Nursing Management, 12:7, pp. 14-15
  • McMahon, A. & O'Carroll, D. (2000), "Research Ethics", Nursing Standard, vol. 14, no. 23, p. 31. 
  • McMahon, A., O'Carroll, D., & Robinson, P. (2000), "Research in the context of health policy", Nursing Standard, vol. 14, no. 18, pp. 31-32.
  • McMahon, A. & O'Carroll, D. (1999), "RCN R&D Co-ordinating Centre", Nursing Standard, vol. 13, no. 49, p. 31.
  • O'Carroll, D. & McMahon, A. (1999), "Supporting Research", Nursing Standard, vol. 14, no. 2, p. 31.
  • O'Carroll, D. & McMahon, A. (1999), "RCN Research & Development Co-ordinating Centre: Research Funding", Nursing Standard no. 11, p. 31.
  • O'Carroll, D. & McMahon, A. (1999), "RCN Research and Development Co-ordinating Centre", Nursing Standard, vol. 13, no. 39, pp. 31-32.
  • O'Carroll, D. & McMahon, A. (1998), "R&D Co-ordinating Centre", Nursing Standard, vol. 12, no. 38, pp. 32-33.

Book and Monograph Chapters

  • McMahon A (in press) 'The future of nursing research' in K. Gerrish & A. Lacey (eds) The Research Process in Nursing, Oxford: Blackwell.
  • Gerrish, K. & McMahon, A. (2006), 'Research and Development in Nursing' in K. Gerrish & A. Lacey (eds) The Research Process in Nursing, London: Blackwell, pp 3-15.
  • McMahon, A. & Lacey, A. (2006), "The Future of Nursing Research," in K. Gerrish & A. Lacey (eds) The Research Process in Nursing, London: Blackwell, pp 521-33.
  • McMahon, A. (1998), "Developing Practice through Research," in B. Roe & C. Webb (eds) Research and Development in Clinical Nursing Practice, London: Whurr Publishers,  pp.219-46.
  • McMahon, A. (1989) 'Cognitive therapy skills in oncology nursing' in Good Practices in Community Nursing Monograph Number 2. University of Manchester.

Editorials

  • McMahon A. (2002), "Let's get critical!", NT Research, vol. 7, no. 5, pp. 322-323.

Published Reviews/Commentaries

  • McMahon, A. (2002), "Commentary: Barriers to research implementation in two Yorkshire hospitals" Clinical Effectiveness in Nursing Vol. 7/1 pp 53 - 54
  • McMahon, A. (2001), "Clinical effectiveness and interrupted work" Clinical Effectiveness in Nursing, 5(2): 96-7, 2001 Jun (2 ref)
  • McMahon, A. (2000), "Review: Critical mass in nursing and midwifery research groups in the West Midlands", NT Research, vol. 5, no. 4, p. 314.
  • Nolan, MR. (1998), "Outcomes and effectiveness: beyond a professional perspective…including commentary by Closs SJ and McMahon A. with author response", Clinical Effectiveness in Nursing, 2(2): 57-68, 1998 Jun (149 ref)

Conference Presentations

  • McMahon, A (2010) The politics of innovation: a critical analysis of the conditions in which innovations in health care may flourish, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Upsilon Xi-at-Large Chapter Scholarly Event, Swansea University,  Wales
  • McMahon A (2009) The conditions in which innovation in healthcare may flourish: Policymakers' perspectives. European Health Management Association Annual Conference Innsbruck, Austria
  • McMahon A (2009) An exploration of the conditions in which innovations in primary health care may flourish. The Society for Academic Primary Care (SAPC) Annual Scientific Meeting, St Andrews, Scotland
  • McMahon, A. (2007) "Onwards and upwards: advancing our contribution to nursing research", Scottish Research Nurse and Co-ordinators' Network 2nd Annual Conference, Dundee, Scotland
  • McMahon, A., Bishop, V. (2005) "Does nursing have a future? Not without a nursing science!", 7th European Nurse Directors Association Conference, Vienna, Austria
  • McMahon, A.,(2005) "Developing Nursing Research Capacity", Celebrating nurse-led research in the North East conference.
  • McMahon, A., (2004) "Promoting Excellence in care through research and development", RCN Eastern Region Research Society AGM
  • McMahon, A., (2004) Chair, The Stroke Association Conferfence, Aston University, Birmingham
  • McMahon, A, (2004) "Question and Answer Session - Panel Member", NHS Modernisation Agency Think Tank, Birmingham. May 2004
  • McMahon, A. (2004) "Innovation in service delivery - against the odds?", Royal College of Nursing (International Nursing Research Conference Cambridge), London.
  • McMahon, A., Campbell, S. (2004) "Promoting Excellence in Care through R&D", The NHS R&D Forum Annual Conference 2004, Keele
  • McMahon, A., Allen, C. (2003) "Releasing and realizing the potential of nursing knowledge", The 6th European Nurse Directors Association Conference, Glasgow, Scotland.
  • McMahon, A., Campbell, S., & Caress, A. (2003) "Accreditation: promoting excellence in research and development", The 6th European Nurse Directors Association Conference, Glasgow, Scotland.
  • McMahon, A., Irwin, P., & Redahan, E. (2002) "Identifying priorities for strengthening and developing the nursing contribution in stroke care". The Stroke Association, The Second National Nurses Stroke Conference, Aston University, Birmingham.
  • Crofts, L. & McMahon, A. (2002) "Raising the Profile of Nursing Research Amongst Medical Research Charities". The Stroke Association, London
  • McMahon A., O'Carroll, D., & Kenkre, J. (2001) "Supporting innovations and new perspectives in health care: on developing and implementing a national R&D strategy". International Council of Nurses, Copenhagen.
  • McMahon A. & Allen, C. (2001) "On providing a seamless service of information provision within the field of mental health: RCN Information Strategy". 6th European Mental Health Nursing Conference, Glasgow.
  • Crofts, L. & McMahon, A. (2001) "Raising the Profile of Nursing Research Amongst Medical Research Charities." Royal College of Nursing International Nursing Research Conference, Glasgow, Scotland.
  • McMahon A. (2000) "Nursing Research and Development". Association of Nurses in Substance Abuse (ANSA) Annual Conference, Manchester, England.
  • McMahon A. & O'Carroll, D. (2000) "Royal College of Nursing Research and Development Coordinating Centre". 3rd International Conference of the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Nursing & Midwifery, Manchester
  • McMahon, A. & Darby M-A (1993) "Research and Development: Nurse Led, Unit Wide", International Council of Nurses, Madrid, Spain
  • McMahon, A. & Jackson, S.(1992) "Clinical Risk Management Programme", Quality Assurance Network Annual Conference, Harrogate, England.
  • Darby M-A, Lam B, & McMahon A. (1991) "An evaluation of the respite care services at a hospital for the elderly". Royal College of Nursing Annual Research Conference, Manchester, England
  • McMahon, A. (1989) "A study of anticipatory nausea and vomiting in cancer patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy". 5th European Conference on Cancer Nursing, London.

Awards

  • McMahon, A. (1989), "90% of chemotherapy can be administered at home", Lederle Laboratories Travel Award 1998, Oncology Society Newsletter, Royal College of Nursing.

Reports

  • McMahon A, O'Carroll, D., & Caveney, J. (2003), "Think RCN Think Nursing Knowledge: How to improve the targeted communication of nursing knowledge to RCN members and other key stakeholders (PDF, 137K)", Royal College of Nursing R&D Coordinating Centre, Manchester.
  • McMahon, A., Allen, C., Orton, V., Gibbon, J., & Jones, J. (2001), "A Business Case for Managing Mental Health Nursing Knowledge (PDF, 101K)", Royal College of Nursing R&D Co-ordinating Centre, Manchester.
  • Crofts, L. & McMahon, A. (2000), "Raising the Profile of Nursing Research Amongst Medical Research Charities", Royal College of Nursing R&D Coordinating Centre, Manchester.
  • McMahon, A., Bishop, V., & Shaw, T. (2000), "Nurse Executive Directors Making a Difference", Report of a Workshop held at the Royal College of Nursing Annual Nursing Research Conference, Sheffield,
  • McMahon, A. (1999), "The abstract selection process: the rhetoric and the reality", Royal College of Nursing R&D Coordinating Centre, Manchester.
  • McMahon, A. (1999), "The nursing professions R&D priority setting initiative; a survey of the individuals invited to take part in the first phase of the initiative", Royal College of Nursing R&D Coordinating Centre, Manchester.

RCN Newsletter Contributions

  • McMahon, A. (2004), "Raising the profile of nursing research" (PDF format, 75.4K), RCN Magazine, Autumn 2004, pp. 32-33.
  • McMahon, A. (2002), "Managing Nursing Knowledge in the Royal College of Nursing", Research Headlines, vol. Winter 2002.
  • McMahon, A. (2001), "RCN Information Strategy: on providing a seamless service of information provision within the field of mental health", NPNR Netlink no. Spring 2001, pp. 7-8.
  • Irwin, P. McMahon, A. (2000), "Do we need a nursing research agenda in the field of stroke care?", Research Headlines no. Summer 2000, p. 4.

Editorial Boards and Advisory Panels

Working Party and Committee Membership

  • Current member of the Scientific Committee of the RCN annual international nursing research conference
  • Current member of the Organising Committee of the RCN annual international nursing research conference
  • Expert Reference Group for the Development of Clinical Academic Careers in Nursing (Finch report) 2006
  • Health Development Agency (HDA) Public Health Evidence Steering Committee (2001 - 2005)
  • Scottish Executive Health Department (2002), "Choices and Challenges. The strategy for research and development in nursing and midwifery in Scotland" Scottish Office, Edinburgh.
  • Moreno Casbas, T., Comet Cortes, P., & Diaz Benavente, M. (1999), "Building a European Nursing Research Strategy", Instiuto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid,Spain
  • 2nd international conference on community health nursing research (1997), "Making a difference. Using community health nursing research toward 2000 and beyond"
  • Clinical Research Nurses Association (CRNA)

MSc Thesis

  • McMahon, A. (1989) "A study of anticipatory nausea and vomiting in cancer patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy" MSc, University of Manchester, thesis